Our History

The modern day Fire Department of Mt. Juliet was formed in 2013 to provide fire, rescue and emergency medical first response services to the rapidly growing City of Mt. Juliet. Prior to FDMJ's formation, all emergency services in Mt. Juliet were provided by the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency (WEMA). Mt. Juliet had a volunteer fire department in the 1960s and 1970s. That department was eventually absorbed by WEMA in the 1980s. WEMA continues to provide emergency medical transport services in Mt. Juliet and FDMJ and WEMA assist each other through automatic and mutual aid agreements.

Below is a timeline of some significant events in the modern history of fire protection in Mt. Juliet.

06/01/2009: Twelve volunteer firefighters entered service under a partnership between the City of Mt. Juliet and WEMA. The city equipped each member with turnout gear, SCBA, radio and pager and the members were placed under the operational control of WEMA to supplement staffing. After initial resistance from some WEMA full-time staff, the effort quickly proved its' value by increasing staffing at structure fires. This effort was the brainchild of now Assistant Chief Shawn Donovan, who moved to the area in 2005 and quickly became concerned about the lack of fire suppression staffing in Mt. Juliet. Shawn and former City Manager Randy Robertson overcame many challenges and obstacles to make this program a reality.

09/13/2013:FDMJ entered operational service at 0700. Ladder 111 and Tower 114 were staffed by all-volunteer crews for the first 12 hours. At 1900, career personnel began staffing Ladder 111.

2014

01/13/2014: FDMJ & WEMA responded to a working house fire on Ashmore Court (C Shift); Captain Allen arrived minutes after dispatch and found one house fully involved with two exposures in immediate danger; both exposures were saved. L-111 was used to complete extinguishment. Captain Chris Allen served as Incident Commander.

01/25/2014: FDMJ & WEMA responded to a working house fire on Lebanon Road (B Shift); 150 year old, balloon frame home. The house suffered extensive damage but multiple antiques and artifacts saved. The fire occurred on an unusually cold, windy and snowy night. Captain Chris Allen served as the Incident Commander.

07/10/2014:FDMJ & WEMA responded to a working house fire on Erin Lane (C Shift). E-104 found heavy fire on arrival. The fire occurred in middle of the day with high heat and humidity. Chief ErronKinney was the Incident Commander.

08/20/2014: A severe thunder storm led to 18 calls in 4 hours; S-103 (career) and L-111 (volunteer) responded to calls throughout the city. E-104 (career and volunteer) and T-114 (volunteer) assisted WEMA with a working structure fire in WEMA Station 5's territory.

09/01/2014:FDMJ & WEMA responded to a working structure fire at the Providence Taco Bell. E-104, S-103, T-114 and L-111 quickly controlled the fire. T-114 complete extinguished of hidden fire in the roof assembly using master streams. Fire Chief ErronKinney served as the Incident Commander.

11/01/2014: FDMJ began operations at Station 3, making the facility a joint operation with WEMA.

12/23/2014: A tractor-trailer carrying dense automotive materials burned overnight on I-40 overnight, shutting down the interstate for hours. WEMA E-31 pumped the fire while S-103, E-104 and WEMA E-51 shuttled water for hours; heavy equipment was used to complete overhaul. Shortly after crews cleared, a vehicle rolled over and landed on the fire debris where FDMJ personnel had been standing minutes before. FDMJ volunteers staffed L-111 and T-114 throughout the incident.

03/16/2015: FDMJ was requested by WEMA for a working structure fire at 109 Lucy Drive in Station 4's area (B-Shift). FDMJ S-103, E-104, T-114 and volunteer personnel responded; several of the closest WEMA units were already committed to other incidents. FDMJ assisted WEMA with fire attack, overhaul and salvage. A total of 14 FDMJ personnel responded.

2016

05/11/2016:FDM& & WEMA responded to a working fire in an "L" shaped, strip shopping center. FDMJ S-103 found the facade of the building heavily involved in fire. FDMJ E-104, S-103, L-111 and T-114 were able to quickly bring the fire under control. The fire was caused by a lightening strike. Captain Steve Neible was the Incident Commander.

10/21/2016: FDMJ was requested by WEMA for a working structure fire at 1056 Cedar Creek Village Drive in WEMA Station 4's area (A-Shift). FDMJ L-111 and E-104 responded with a total of 6 personnel. L-111 was used to complete extinguishment of a well involved residential dwelling.

10/28/2016: FDMJ was requested by WEMA for a working structure fire on S. Posey Hill Road in WEMA Station 5's area (B-Shift). FDMJ C-102 and E-104 responded with a total of 5 personnel. FDMJ assisted WEMA with water supply and overhaul.

11/15/2016: FDMJ responded to a working structure fire on Sunnymeade Drive (C-Shift). FDMJ C-101, C-102, C-103, E-104, S-103, T-114 and L-111 responded and found a single story house well involved in fire. FDMJ conducted an aggressive fire attack and quickly extinguished the fire. WEMA M-51 and Rehab 23 responded for support. A total of 18 FDMJ personnel responded. Deputy Chief Allen was the Incident Commander.

12/02/2016: FDMJ was requested by WEMA for a working structure fire on S. Rutland Drive in WEMA Station 3's area (A-Shift). FDMJ C-101, C-102, C-103, E-104 and T-114 responded with a total of 10 personnel. FDMJ C-102 and E-104 arrived first as the fire was just south of the city limits. FDMJ assisted WEMA with fire attack and overhaul. WEMA Fire Chief Hobbs was the Incident Commander.

12/16/2016: FDMJ held our third annual Christmas Party and Awards Ceremony. Our winners for 2016 were:

12/29/2016: FDMJ was requested by WEMA for a working fire in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road in WEMA Station 4's area (C-Shift). C-101, C-102, C-103, Captain 1102, S-103, L-111 responded with a total of nine personnel. FDMJ assisted WEMA with a challenging fire in a historic log home that had been enlarged with a ballon frame construction addition. WEMA and FDMJ crews worked together to complete fire attack, overhaul and a water shuttle operation. WEMA Captain Eldridge was the Incident Commander.

2017

01/07/2017: FDMJ responded to a working structure fire at 416 Parish Place (A-Shift). FDMJ C-101, C-102, Captain 1102, S-103, E-104, T-114 and L-111 responded and found a two story house well involved in fire. FDMJ conducted an aggressive fire attack using 4 hand-lines and controlled the fire. T-114 was used to extinguish inaccessible portions of the roof. WEMA M-31, Rehab 23, Mt. Juliet PD and Mt. Juliet Public works responded to assist. Frigid weather conditions made fire ground operations more challenging. A total of 20 FDMJ personnel responded. Deputy Chief Allen was the Incident Commander.

01/31/2017: Lt. Mike Leal promoted to Captain / C-Shift Commander.

01/28/2017: FDMJ responded to a working structure fire at 151 Adams Lane (A-Shift). FDMJ C-101, C-102, C-103, E-104, S-103, T-114 and L-111 responded and found a car that had left I-40, went over an embankment, and entered the rear of a strip center. The car caught fire and the fire was quickly controlled by the building's sprinkler system. The occupants of the car escaped with only minor injuries. A total of 16 FDMJ personnel responded. Deputy Chief Allen was the Incident Commander.

02/03/2017: FDMJ responded to a working structure fire at 504 Belinda Parkway (B-Shift). FDMJ C-101, C-102, S-103, T-114 and L-111 responded and found a single story house with heavy fire in the attic. FDMJ conducted an aggressive fire attack using 3 hand-lines to control the fire. A total of 16 FDMJ personnel responded. Deputy Chief Allen was the Incident Commander.

02/21/2017: FDMJ responded to a working structure fire at 1408 Brighton Circle (B-Shift). FDMJ C-101, C-102, C-103, S-103, L-111 and T-114 responded and found a working fire in the garage of a two-story residence. FDMJ crews quickly controlled the fire, holding it to the garage. Quick actions by first arriving volunteer Lieutenant McGough and S-103, commanded by Acting OIC Roberts, led to the living space of the home suffering no damage. A total of 14 FDMJ personnel responded. Deputy Chief Allen was the Incident Commander.

02/27/2017: FDMJ responded to a working car fire and outbuilding fire at 14200 Lebanon Road. FDMJ C-101, C-103, S-103 and L-111 responded and quickly controlled the fire, preventing it from spreading to occupied structures that were in immediate danger. A total of 14 FDMJ personnel responded. Assistant Chief Donovan was the Incident Commander.

03/05/2017: FDMJ responded to a large brush fire that was threatening several occupied structures and had extended into an outbuilding. C-101, C-102, C-103, S-103, E-104 and WEMA B-31 responded and were able to contain the fire before it was able to extend to additional structures. A total of 11 FDMJ personnel and 1 WEMA personnel responded. Deputy Chief Allen was the Incident Commander.

03/19/2017: FDMJ responded to a structure fire at Mt. Juliet Elementary School on West Division Street (C-Shift). FDMJ C-101, C-102, S-103, L-111, and T-114 responded and found a small fire in one classroom. The fire was controlled by one sprinkler head and FDMJ personnel conducted extensive salvage and water removal operations. A total of 14 FDMJ personnel responded. Deputy Chef Allen was the Incident Commander.

04/11/2017: FF Bryan Travis promoted to Lieutenant / B-Shift.

05/04/2017: FDMJ responded to a structure fire on Davis Drive (B-Shift). FDMJ C-101, C-102, C-103, S-103, E-104, L-111, T-114, WEMA M-101 and Rehab 23 responded and found a 75x75 storage building heavily involved in fire. The fire was controlled with 3 hand-lines and one portable master stream. One farm animal perished in the fire. A total of 15 FDMJ personnel responded. Deputy Chef Allen was the Incident Commander.

07/09/2017: FDMJ responded to a structure fire at 7317 Cadogan Drive in the Lifestyles Community (A-Shift). FDMJ C-101, C-102, E-104, S-103, and L-111 responded and found a kitchen fire on the third floor that had been controlled by the sprinkler system. FDMJ crews performed extensive salvage and overhaul efforts. A total of 12 FDMJ personnel responded. Deputy Chief Allen was the Incident Commander.

08/07/2017: FDMJ ended operations from "temporary Station 2" at the Environmental Science Corp (ESC) due to expansion plans by ESC. L-111 was moved to Station 3 and parked outside and a search was started for a "new, temporary Station 2".

08/21/2017: FDMJ participated in the Great American Solar Eclipse. FDMJ staffed T-114 and L-111 with volunteer and extra time crews in anticipation of an increased call volume. The event passed without incident and call volume was below average.

09/29/2017: FDMJ began operations from a "new, temporary" Station 2. Thanks to the generosity of Green Hill Church, FDMJ was able to began operations from a building on the rear of the church's property. L-111 was moved here and remained volunteer staffed.

10/16/2017: FDMJ responded to a structure fire at 3022 Clyde Circle (C-Shift). FDMJ C-102, C-103, S-103, E-104, T-114 (w/ C-101), WEMA M-31 and Rehab 23 responded and found a 3200 square foot home with heavy fire on floors 1, 2 and in the attic. The fire was quickly controlled using one portable monitor supplied by a 3" line and three, 1.75" lines. A total of 19 FDMJ personnel responded. Deputy Chief Allen was the Incident Commander.